About Us
We Are National Development
National Development is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development, construction and asset management firm. We work closely with our partners and stakeholders to create vibrant and interesting places. Through over 300 projects and three decades of experience, we have become part of the communities in which we work. Our local knowledge and relationships combined with our understanding of the global capital markets result in exceptional projects and attractive investments.


Our Mission
We turn projects into communities. We work collaboratively as long-term partners, creating value for our investors and enhancing the neighborhoods in which we build.
DEI Statement
Equal. United. Empowered. We Are Better Together.
National Development values all perspectives and strives toward inclusivity because we believe that equal opportunity and shared success strengthens both our firm and our community. We are actively pursuing a number of improvements within our company that move us toward meaningful, long-term, sustained change. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion through the many ways that we create, build, and impact the communities in which we live and work.

Strength & Capability
Our greatest strength is our people; 300 team members bring expertise in every aspect of the value creation process, across all property categories including office, research, industrial, retail, senior housing, multifamily and hotel.
National Development’s activities are primarily funded by our closed-end discretionary funds. We launched our first fund in 2006 and have subsequently raised over $1.1 billion via four fully discretionary funds comprised primarily of endowments, foundations, institutions and family offices. We are currently investing our $400,000,000 Fund IV, which we expect will be deployed into $1.5 – 2 billion of new acquisitions and developments.
Experience
Over National Development’s nearly 40-year history in Boston, we have developed over 30 million SF in over 45 communities, investing over $6 billion. Our knowledge of the Greater Boston market and its many cities and towns is unparalleled. National Development is consistently ranked by the Boston Business Journal as one of the largest real estate development and investment firms in New England.
Innovation & Performance
National Development has distinguished itself as one of Boston’s most creative and innovative real estate firms, with a long track record of creating great places in which people want to work and live. Our vertically integrated structure, with the discretionary capital and in-house acquisition, development, construction and property management expertise, has earned our firm a reputation for reliably executing thoughtfully conceived projects on time and on budget.
Our Values

Collaboration
It’s true. We are better together. Through collaboration, we turn visions into realities and projects into communities. Through teamwork, trust and open communication, we inspire each other with a strong sense of purpose to create great places.

Community
We’re committed to working together with the cities and towns in which we work, creating environments that have a deep impact on people’s lives. We also believe in giving back. Every year, we support over 100 charitable and community organizations including United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Heading Home, Building Impact, Foundation for MetroWest, Habitat for Humanity and many others.

Creativity
From innovative deal structures to creative placemaking, we pride ourselves on our ability to think outside the box and maximize the potential of each project. We draw inspiration from history, sound planning and design principles, and community input to deliver projects that empower change, growth and transformation.
What We Do
As a vertically integrated company with in-house capital combined with acquisition, financing, permitting, development, construction and management expertise, we are able to bring a high level of speed, reliability and efficiency to the process of creating great places.
Investment
+
In 2006, ND launched the firm’s closed-end series of investment funds and has subsequently raised over $1.1 billion via four fully discretionary funds comprised of endowments, institutions, family offices, and high net worth individuals. The firm is currently investing its fully discretionary $400,000,000 Fund IV, focusing on properties where value can be increased through repositioning, redevelopment and/or ground up development.
The Fund has invested in over $3 billion in real estate assets over the past 13 years in the Greater Boston area. As of December 31, 2018, ND’s inaugural fund was the #1 ranked 2006 vintage fund in the United States.
Development
+
Our development team excels at taking a project from the initial acquisition through construction and stabilization. Our deep understanding of market forces, planning issues, the permitting process, design and financing are the key ingredients to our success. We are primarily focused on the development or redevelopment of mixed-use properties that combine several project types to create vibrant, attractive places.
Construction
+
Cranshaw Construction is our construction manager/general contractor affiliate. The firm builds office, industrial, residential, life science, retail, hotel and other project types on behalf of both National Development and third party clients. Cranshaw’s capabilities include pre-construction services, site analysis, feasibility and conceptual estimating, plan review and value engineering. The firm is consistently ranked by the Boston Business Journal as one of the top ten largest construction management firms in Greater Boston.
Property Management
+
Our property management group is one of the largest in the region and manages over 6 million SF of commercial, industrial and retail space, and approximately 2,500 apartment units for both National Development and third party clients. We are committed to maximizing the value of each client’s asset through proactive marketing, tenant retention and community engagement programs, comprehensive maintenance, and detailed financial reporting. For more information about the residential communities we manage, visit www.ndcommunities.com.
Awards
2022
-
Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Award - Dining
Waterstone on High Ridge
-
MAA Achievement Award Finalist for New Construction Community of the Year
7INK
-
MAA Achievement Award for Apartment Manager of the Year, Nadia Serret
7INK
-
The Ad Club Hatch Award for Best Street Stopper Branding Campaign
Iron Works
-
Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Award Honoree, Residential Lobby and Amenity Space
7INK
-
Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking for Online Reputation Nationwide
MarketStreet Apartments
2021
-
BOMA MAC TOBY Award for Outstanding Building of the Year
The District Burlington
-
ORA's Top 10 Property Management Companies in the Nation
National Development
-
MAA Achievement Award for New Construction Community of the Year
Emery Flats
-
MAA Achievement Award for Rising Star of the Year, Jaimi Rich
Ink Block
-
Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking for Online Reputation Nationwide
MarketStreet Apartments
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
The District Burlington, Unicorn Park, 101 Station Drive, National Development
2020
-
Multifamily Executive Grand Winner for Senior Housing
Avenu at Natick
-
BOMA Boston TOBY Award for Outstanding Building of the Year
The District Burlington
-
MAA Achievement Award for Senior Community of the Year
Avenu at Natick
-
Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking for Online Reputation Nationwide
Avenu at Natick, Chroma, Emery Flats, MarketStreet Apartments
-
WMA Web Award for Most Outstanding Website
National Development
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
The District Burlington, Unicorn Park, National Development
-
NAA Best Places to Work Finalist
National Development
-
Boston Magazine Best of Boston, Outdoor Museum
Underground at Ink Block
2019
-
ULI Global Award of Excellence Finalist
Ink Block
-
AIA Award of Excellence, Regional and Urban Design
Underground at Ink Block
-
Boston Business Journal Best Places to Work
National Development
-
Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking for Online Reputation Nationwide
Chroma, Seven Springs
2018
-
Commercial Brokers Association Boston, Creative Deal of the Year
Baldor Specialty Foods
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
Unicorn Park
-
Elite 1% ORA Power Ranking for Online Reputation Nationwide
Seven Springs, Chroma
-
Boston's Best Urban Canvas Award, The Improper Bostonian
Underground at Ink Block
-
WalkBoston Golden Shoe Award
Underground at Ink Block
-
Communication Art Award of Excellence in Branding
Underground at Ink Block
2017
-
United Way Real Estate & Building Industry Leadership Award
-
Golden Shoe Award for Increasing Walkability in the City of Boston
Underground at Ink Block
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
2016
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
2015
-
Building Impact Gold Impact Award
-
Rental Housing Association of Boston Community of Excellence Award
Ink Block
2014
-
Building Impact Silver Impact Award
2013
-
Commercial Broker’s Association, Landlord of the Year
-
BBJ, Best Office
Fort Point Portfolio
-
BBJ, Best Rehab/Renovation
200 Unicorn Park
-
NAHB Best 50+ Senior Housing
Waterstone at Wellesley
2011
-
NAIOP Distinguished Real Estate Award
-
The American Consulting Engineers Council of Massachusetts, Excellence Award
Media
-
National Development Announces Construction of New Logistics Facility in West Bridgewater
May 2, 2023
NEWTON, MA – National Development announced that it has closed on the acquisition of a 20-acre parcel located at 586 Manley Street in West Bridgewater, MA, and that it has commenced construction on a 210,600 square-foot Class A logistics facility. The building is expected to be able to accommodate tenants...
-
Wayfair, Lowe’s Bringing Hundreds of Jobs in Move to 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Logistics Centers in East Hartford
March 6, 2023
The e-commerce giant Wayfair and Lowe’s, the country’s second-largest hardware retailer, will be the tenants of the two mega-warehouses that National Development is building in East Hartford, the developer announced Monday. At a groundbreaking ceremony, state and federal officials called the massive project at Rentschler Field transformational for the city,...
-
Massive Rentschler Field Logistics Center Development Inks Wayfair, Lowe’s as Tenants
March 6, 2023
Home-improvement giant Lowe’s and online home-goods retailer Wayfair will occupy two massive logistics buildings under construction in East Hartford, various sources have confirmed to the Hartford Business Journal. Massachusetts-based National Development bought 300 acres at the former Rentschler Field airport site from Raytheon Technologies in a $78.47-million deal sealed in...
-
Lowe’s, Wayfair to Occupy Massive East Hartford Logistics Center
March 6, 2023
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State and local officials celebrated a massive new project in East Hartford with a ceremonial groundbreaking. The former runways next to Pratt & Whitney’s headquarters will soon be home to giant warehouses. They were the runways of the original Rentschler Field, an actual airfield home...
-
Rentschler Developer Buys 300 Acres in East Hartford
January 13, 2023
EAST HARTFORD — The Massachusetts developer planning a massive logistics center and tech park development at Rentschler Field has bought 300 acres there for $78.47 million, records show. East Hartford Mayor Michael Walsh expects National Development to build throughout this year and then gain occupancy permits for its first buildings...
-
EPOCH and National Development Open Waterstone of Lexington
November 21, 2022
Executives from EPOCH Senior Living and National Development joined with Lexington Select board chair Jill Hai and local residents on October 27th to celebrate the grand opening of Waterstone of Lexington. Located at 55 Watertown St., Waterstone of Lexington is a luxury senior living community featuring independent and assisted living residences...
View More